Trans removal?

[Darrman]

1992 Sport 4x4 5spd.
I am in the middle of changing my m5r1 for a new rebuilt, I have spent all day removing the eight bolts that hold it on. Now it is loose and I have found that I cannot remove the trans because of the exhaust y-pipe is in the way. I cant get to the bolts that hold the y-pipe because of the radius crossmember.
I am wondering if there is a way to get the y-pipe loose without dropping the crossmember? I have unbolted the exhuast after the cats, so I could angle the motor down.
I am about ready to call the junkyard to see what scrap value is

 

[Darrman]

Nevermind

 

[Tshark299]

sounds like you solved your problem but I'll post anyway... I ran into this same problem this winter. Technically you're supposed to undo the cross pipe from both exhaust manifolds to get it out of the way but none of my bolts would budge. I was afraid of breaking the studs and creating more problems for myself so I ended up using a long pry bar to dent the floor pan up a bit right where the top of the bell housing would hit it when angling it down and out, creating just enough room. It was still a pain though... still took alot of prying, angling, pulling, rocking, etc. to get it to drop. Going back in was even worse and I couldn't have done it without a buddy helping me muscle it back in. If I have to do it again in the future, since I don't really care what the truck looks like, I'd probably be willing to just take a sawzall to the floor pan where it was hitting, then just patch it back together after the fact... but I realize not everyone would be willing to butcher their truck like that. Mine isn't too pretty anymore and it would have saved alot of time and hassle. Good luck!

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126647